Call of the Wild - Lesson 1 - Introduction

When I first started studying for this new lesson
I was able to find 85 different kinds of animals mentioned in the Bible.
Which then led me to 398 verses.

A lot of verses were referring to animal sacrifices,
So I had to limit my search to animals that were described
As a comparison to let man see how he behaves
Or to show how he is to behave.

Some of the animals are indicated on our front cover
That we will not be going over in the next 13 weeks but look good.
Panda, tiger, parrot, raccoon, zebra, rhino, toucan and the ring tailed lemur.
So from that front cover we will be reviewing the Lion and the wolf.

Here are some other animals we will be covering and hopefully learning from.

- Serpents (in general) along with the Adder and the Asp.
- Man’s Best Friend?
Which would be the dog and I extended that to another canine the Wolf.
- Blind, Deaf & Dumb: Flies, Goats, Mules and Swine.
- Insignificant: Moth and Worms
- Great & Not So Great: Behemoth, Leviathan, (possibly dragon), Sloth and Slug
- The Others: Leopard, Oxen and Scorpion
- Little & Wise: Ant, Conies, Locust and Spiders
- Subtle Birds: Dove, Hen, Ostrich, Peacock, Pelican, Owl, Ravens, Sparrow and Swallows
- Birds of Prey: Eagles and Hawks
- Quiet Creatures: Lamb, Sheep and Deer
- Strong & Brave: Horses, Lions and Bear

So out of 85 animals, we will be reviewing 39
Let’s set the scene.

Genesis 1:20-28

Before the Lord created us, He created the animal kingdom.
We appear to be advanced, so then why is it we keep loosing sight of the basics?
He allows us to have dominion over His creation.
He allows us to have His Word and a free will.

In the weeks of this lesson it is my goal for us to
Review what basics He has left for us in the animal kingdom
To revisit and possibly learn some for the first time.
With this introduction lesson I wanted to speak on three animals
That we will not specifically be reviewing from the Bible.
But the Lord made them so I feel I can talk about them.

The Elephant, Geese and the Impala.

Please forgive me if you have heard these before
But I believe it paints a picture of our Lord speaking to us through creation.

Just like when some people listen to a message,
We look around the sanctuary to see if they are paying attention
Because we know Pastor is speaking directly to them.

Or we read our Bible and underline certain passages
Because we want to share them with our spouse
Next time they do that little thing that drives us crazy.

The Lord is giving us examples.
They are there; we just need to look with an open heart.


Some things I learned when reviewing the Elephant:

- They live in tight knit families ranging in size from 2 to 29,
And they often remain together for life.
Remaining within 150 ft of the leader.
- The family defends the young, sick, old and disabled from predators.
- If a family becomes too large, a few females leave to start a new herd.
- They are loyal and affectionate
Willing to risk their lives for the sake of other family members.
They celebrate new births
Grieve over the death of family members (including shedding tears)

"Elephant," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


I believe you all have heard my stories of how they train an elephant.
It may be true, ‘An elephant never forgets.’
That is good if it is good habits.
It is probably true he like us doesn’t forget those bad habits.
That are holding us and that elephant back.

What can we learn from this creature?





Philippians 3:13, ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,’

Forget those things, which are behind.
The bad habits, the sins and garbage that go along with it.
As we press forward we can still remember the blessings and the lessons learned.

How can we apply this verse to our daily walk?





Lu 9:62, ‘And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’

I think this verse talks to us, as we don’t forge ahead as strongly as we used to serving the Lord.
Whether that be in our Family Ministry
Some other area where we help out in the church,
Or a ministry the Lord told us to start and we pretended we didn’t hear Him.

What are your thoughts here?





1Corinthians 9:24, ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’

Why are we running?





Geese

Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an ‘uplift’ for the birds that follow. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 72 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give help out to others.

Fact: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents and resources.

Fact: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with their flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.


Lesson One

2 Timothy 2:2, ‘And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.’

Lesson Two

John 6:66-67, ‘From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?’

Lesson Three

Isaiah 40:31, ‘But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’

Lesson Four

1Thesallonians 5:11, ‘Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.’

Lesson Five

Galatians 6:2, ‘Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.’


Story of the Impala

An impala is a small deer like creature. They are found in places like the Serengeti. They stand less than three feet tall at the shoulders. You may have seen them before on the Discovery Channel. You can watch them running along in the desert then all of a sudden one will spring up in the air. The impala has the ability to jump approximately fourteen feet in the air and about twenty feet forward. Imagine that, being able to jump almost five times your hight or being able to jump that far forward. Well this creature that the Lord created can.

You can find these amazing creatures in zoos. You find yourself walking around. You look in and see these cute little deer. You could say, 'Deer, I see them all the time.' Then you read the sign that tells you where this animal comes from, and it tells you what they are capable of.

You look around, there is no impressively tall fence, there is no clear glass bubble containing these creatures. You look around the perimiter and all you see is a short barricade, a brick wall about four feet tall with a pretty vine growing on it. What did the zookeeper do? Did they clip these creature's wings?

You ask the zookeeper, 'Why does this amazing animal stay in its prison? I read the sign, I know what it is capable of, why doesn't it escape. Why doesn't the impala use the natural abilities that the Lord has given it? It is capable of jumping fourteen feet in the air and twenty feet forward. What did they do to these animals?

The zookeeper explained, 'The impala will not jump where it can not see.' This creature that the Lord created with all this ability is held prisoner. It is held prisoner by its own fear of the unknown, of its fear of potential failure.


Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’


John 15:5, ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’


2Corinthians 12:9, ‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’

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